Crucify Him

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 NIV

Devotion:

The crowd didn’t believe Christ was the Messiah, so they scream, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

" I find no guilt in him." Pilate declared. The angry mob continues to reject him and demands that Jesus die. Their accusations intensified to a roar. Pilate washes guilt-stained hands in a deteriorating situation.

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Mark 15:14‭-‬15 NIV

Soldiers craft a crown of thorns, uttering devious slurs, and mocking the King of Kings, finally thrusting the coronet upon his head. A thorny crown pierces Jesus’ skull and blood oozes. It is an indignant substitute for the costly crown of precious metals and gems our Lord and Savior deserves. They strive to shame him rather than honor him as God’s Son.

Yet Christ silently endures insults, as words can’t dispel divine love. He meets piercing rejection and accusations with overpowering compassion. Those reckless shouts penetrate, yet stabs of rejection don’t diminish God’s forgiveness.

A burly guard draws back an arm wielding a whip, ripping skin and exposing flesh. They scourge Christ for our sins, and each lash releases healing for those suffering. Beaten beyond recognition, they shove a wooden cross on Jesus' wounded shoulders. He stumbles along a dirt path bearing a heavy cross. The sins and shame of multitudes rest on him as he climbs uphill.

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2 NIV)

Atop the mound called Golgotha, soldiers raise three wooden crosses to showcase those worthy of death. Next, the soldiers drive spikes into his body. They stretch him out and nail him to an old wooden cross. His body takes on the image of a cross and humanity’s sins. It is an attempt to destroy a Holy God whose very hands created every living thing.

Beads of sweat mingle with pure, rich blood and holy tears, forever overcoming our fears of death. Heavenly love continues with each heartbeat and drop of precious blood. Every drop that drips from his limp body invites us to step closer to him.

Eternity with him is now possible because he reversed the curse and paid the price for our sins. They pierced him for us, making way for a glorious reunion with our Maker. [I can’t imagine Jesus carrying the weight of everyone’s sin throughout the ages.]

The death he dies, he dies to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11 NIV

Prayer:

Thank you for your Agape love, which is uncontainable. It seeps into the crevices of rocky hearts and flows out as pure, life-giving water of Christ, bringing life to the lost and dying. It is impossible to conceive the magnitude of your love, unfailing grace, and never-ending forgiveness. I’m thankful you gave us the ultimate gift, Your Son. Because of his death, I am forgiven and I now live my life for him.

Your turn:

They crucified Christ. He willingly died for all of humanity to reunite us with God, Our Father. Will you join the mob that rejected him or will you accept him as King of your life?

Blessing, Evelyn Collins